It's hard to say who has more spirit, Melinda or Jackson Beau. When the vet says, "You can take him home. But it's going to be hard. You're probably going to want to put him down." Most people would accept that pronouncement and quit.

Fortunately, Melinda Davis isn't most people. And, for that matter, Jackson Beau, isn't "most dogs". A dedicated family Labrador companion, 10-month old Jack is exuberant about life. In fact, he's really just a big kid. Every day is like Christmas Eve to him. How much joy can he squeeze into one day? How can he show his family how much he loves them?

Jack is full of mischief, especially with Melinda's son, Lane. When Lane throws the ball to Jack, he sits on it, barking wildly, waiting for his best bud to try and take it from him. The two will tussle, laughing and barking, lost in the childhood fun that makes friendship so special.

But a weekend changed all that. Lane decided to stay at his grandmother's for the weekend, a short distance from the Davis home. Jack felt left out, dug out of his spacious pen, and ran down the road after Lane.

It was a brutal blow to the 10-month old Labrador. The car hit him full force and kept going. Jack sustained multiple fractures to his pelvic area but managed to drag himself to a neighbor's yard. That's where Melinda eventually found him.

The news from the vet wasn't good. Removing Jack's tail was the easy part. It was his pelvic region that was a massive problem. Surgery was long and complicated as the veterinarian worked diligently to repair it.

The family was devastated. After the surgery, they each held Jackson in their arms. And he would lick each of them, offering his encouragement to the family he loved so much. It was that moment that deepened the bond between them all.

He seemed to be saying more than just "I love you." Jack seemed to say: "I'm willing to fight for my life, if you are." It was all the family needed to know. They would work with their courageous dog to bring him back to good health.

Jack's back legs were seriously impaired. He couldn't move them at all. The veterinarian team worked diligently to encourage Jack to work his back legs, but because Jack was such a family man, the team found it hard to keep him motivated. When his family visited him, it was a different story. He was animated. Jack worked harder to move his legs. But as soon as they left, his motivation vanished. After nearly a month of rehab therapy, Jack's legs still refused to move. "If he doesn't move his legs by Friday," the vet told Melinda, "you need to think about putting him down."

Melinda never considered that option, but she was scared. How could they motivate their beloved friend to work his back legs? It turns out the answer was as simple as a family visit. That's when it clicked for both Jackson Beau and the Davis family.

Maybe Jack sensed his days were numbered. Or maybe this patient, fun-loving dog just had enough. But for whatever reason, as soon as his family came in, Jack moved his back legs. When he saw Lane, he stood up on his front feet and pawed at the gate. It was obvious to all that Jack needed his family in order to get well. That's when the Davis family made a courageous decision of their own: Jackson Beau was coming home.

The vet told Melinda he did not think her family could endure the rigors of rehabilitating Jack. As gently as possible, he told her he would certainly understand if she decided to put Jack down.

But Melinda's family had other ideas. Because Jack could not control his bladder, he couldn't stay inside with them. So her dad custom built a "mansion" with heat for Jack outside. It has a tin roof with sliding doors so Melinda can work with him on his exercises and change his bedding. And, of course, he and Lane play together.

Because of this family's undying love, Jack's progress has been nothing short of miraculous. He can now scoot along using his back legs. Melinda got him dog boots to help prevent injuries to his paws. And Jack makes every effort to walk on his back legs. And for longer "walks," Melinda built a dog wheelchair. She's ordered a professionally built one to come in.

"It's been a long road," Melinda Davis tells us. And there is still more to come. But it's a testament to her love for Jack that she never once thought he was a lost cause. "You have to be totally dedicated," she said, as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Many people would have said that Jackson Beau was "just a dog," so why not put him down? Why incur the expense? Melinda bristles at such a suggestion. "We're looking at a year of rehab. What's a year when he can have the rest of his life with us?"

When The Mosby Foundation learned of Jackson's plight, we were all too willing to pitch in. We knew he was a special dog, but it was the Davis family that captured our hearts, too. Here was a family that was the living embodiment of what The Mosby Foundation stands for: selfless giving for the sake of a healthy animal companion.

But we think Melinda says it best. "I didn't want my kids growing up believing that pets were disposable." (Pull quote-it's wonderful!) And her vet echoes that sentiment. "I've seen a lot of dogs, but I've never seen one this rotten!"

Melinda's children are learning a lesson that will carry them through their entire lives. It will affect every decision they make in life. Whether it is another animal or a child in need, Melinda's kids are learning to live from the heart.

Jack still has a long road ahead of him. He needs more surgery to relieve the pressure on his bladder. But you can be sure of one thing: All that love will carry him back to a healthy life filled with throw balls, long lazy naps, dirt baths and a family who cared too much to quit.